The Odessa High girls basketball team picked up its second victory of the season over crosstown rival Permian Tuesday at the OHS Fieldhouse.
A 44-33 triumph helped the Lady Bronchos stay in the top four teams in District 2-6A.
“The victory was good, it felt like we game planned pretty well, the girls executed,” Odessa High coach Marcus Chapa said. “We were able to manage the spread and give some secondary reserve kids a lot of playing time tonight.”
It was an even matchup early, as the Lady Bronchos and Lady Panthers couldn’t create much separation on the scoreboard through the first quarter.
Odessa High tried to use its speed through the opening period, but was slowed down by the Permian defense.
Both teams saw their distance shooting heat up as the clock wound down in the first quarter, with a 3-pointer from Permian’s Jamie Redic cutting Odessa High’s lead to one point.
Nesha Stephens gave the Lady Bronchos a four-point lead heading into the second period with a 3-pointer of her own.
Although both sides played solid defense in the paint, Odessa High started finding more success beyond the arc in the second quarter.
Aaryn Lira scored six quick points to help the Lady Bronchos take a 15-point lead at halftime.
A 6-0 scoring run to start the second half helped Odessa High maintain its positive momentum until a free throw from E’Jae Miller gave the Lady Panthers their first score of the third quarter.
The Lady Bronchos stayed in control of the contest, but that didn’t stop Permian from finding ways to close the gap in the fourth quarter.
Despite being outscored 17-6 in the final period of play, Odessa High maintained its lead to grab its fifth district victory.
Permian girls basketball coach Keshia Collins said her team found its footing too late in the contest.
“I told them and I told my staff, ‘This is an emotional game, if we just keep our heads together and our mental focus strong, we’ve got a shot,’” Collins said.
Collins added that her team has to regroup quickly and focus on its next district game.
The Lady Bronchos (16-13 overall, 5-4 district) will host Midland Legacy at 6 p.m. Friday at the OHS Fieldhouse, while Permian (5-16, 3-6) will face Midland High at 6 p.m. Friday in Midland.
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Odessa High 44, Permian 33
Tuesday, OHS Fieldhouse
PERMIAN (5-16, 3-6)
Caytlen Juarez 0 0-0 0, Micah Smith 0 0-0 0, Bailey Wight 2 0-0 4, Alondra Garcia 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Vasquez 0 0-0 0, Jamie Redic 1 4-6 7, Nadia Turner 0 0-0 0, Akiva Brown 0 0-0 0, E’Jae Miller 1 2-4 4, Chloe Mosley 1 0-0 2, Kimora Pierce 5 0-0 11, Dagmar Ortega 0 0-0 0, Sara Chavez 2 1-2 5. Totals 12 7-12 33.
ODESSA HIGH (16-13, 5-4)
Aaryn Lira 2 3-3 8, Donajah Watkins 3 2-2 8, Nesha Stephens 4 4-6 15, Kitzia Orozco 0 0-0 0, Valeriah Coy 0 0-1 0, Neveah Carrasco 0 0-0 0, Mariah Leyva 0 0-0 0, Kylee Bartlett 0 0-0 0, Sam Lopez 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Alvarado 0 0-0 0, Paige Byford 2 0-0 4, Deoshanay Henderson 4 0-0 8, Destiny Baltazar 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 10-13 44.
Permian……………….. 7…. 2 7 17 — 33
Odessa High……….. 11.. 13 14 6 — 44
3-Point goals — Odessa High 4 (Stephens 3, Lira 1), Permian 2 (Redic 1, Pierce 1). Total fouls — Odessa High 12, Permian 15. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
